Love at First Baby Bonus Scene
Faith
Five Years Later
The thrill of the auction block action blows me away, and I see yet again why Travis can’t get enough of it. We’re at the Russo and Steele Collector Automobile Auction in Newport Beach, California, one of the premier collector car shows and auctions in the country. It’s unmatched when it comes to the sheer volume and variety of incredible rides.
Travis has already gotten top-dollar and then some for three immaculately restored vehicles—a 1962 VW Karmann Ghia Type 34, a 1967 Shelby GT350, and a 1972 Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7—and is happily shooting the breeze with some of the most recognized car collectors in the world.
But nothing prepares me for where I’m sitting—inside the only 1969 Boss 429 Cougar on the face of the planet. Travis jokes with the owner as I try not to hyperventilate.
Over the years, Travis’s classic car restoration business has brought him national acclaim, and he continues to draw a loyal group of car collectors salivating to get their hands on one of his masterpieces. He’s painstaking when it comes to attention to detail, and it shows in the prices he garners.
Although he still works for the US Forestry Service training Hotshots, he’s backed away from fire season duties to focus on his car business and our family.
Never in my life did I think I would sit in this one-of-a-kind vehicle. Max Forthright, the owner, turns to me and asks, “Ready to take her for spin?” I can’t believe my ears.
I look questioningly at Travis, and he nods encouragingly, shaking hands with Forthright and patting him on the back. “We’ll see you later,” Travis says.
Forthright nods, saying, “Good luck.”
I feel a pit in my stomach forming. Good luck? Is that how much faith he has in my driving abilities? Honestly, I can’t blame him. My hands are shaking, and I’m not sure I’m ready to take something so priceless for a spin.
Travis shrugs, drawling in a calm way, “Darling, this is your dream come true. So, what are you waiting for?”
Soon, we fly down the road with the gray foggy palm-tree-lined Pacific Ocean to our right and the neat, colorful houses of Newport Beach to our left. It’s got to be one of the most adorable beachfront communities in California, with more exotic automobiles, sports cars, and window boxes filled with vibrant flowers per capita than any place I’ve ever been.
“How in the world did you make the acquaintance of Max Forthright? And get him to agree to let me take this baby for a spin?”
Shrugging, Travis reminds me, “He owes me one. Besides, haven’t I always told you there’s no limit to what I’m willing to do to make you happy? I thought it’d be a fun treat on our five-year wedding anniversary. Hey, why don’t you turn down this street.”
“Are you sure? I don’t want to freak out Forthright by being gone too long.”
“Trust me, darling.” He squeezes my hand gently, and I smile at him, sending a love-filled glance in his direction. After a few more suggested turns, he has me park in front of a gorgeous Victorian mansion with overflowing flower boxes filled with brightly colored mauve and purple petunias.
“Is this Forthright’s house?” I ask, looking up at the incredible building.
Without responding, Travis strolls up to the front door like he owns the place, and I’m getting more and more confused by the minute. I hesitate when he opens the front door, and he glances over his shoulder, grabbing my hand. “Come on,” he says with a smile. “I swear you’ll like this.”
As soon as we walk into the posh seaside home, I’m greeted by the faces of my sisters—Jess, Alex, Cricket, Birdie, and all of my other brothers’ incredible wives and fiancees. Jess squeezes me tight. “Time to go upstairs and get you ready!”
Shaking my head in a daze, I look at Travis, and he smiles widely. Behind him, our brothers are gathering and some of them, like Logan, Christian, and Flynn, have suits on and cowboy hats over their chests. “I’ll see you shortly, my love,” Trav says and turns to walk off with his brothers.
“What in the world are you all doing here, and what’s going on?”
My sisters laugh, and Cricket pipes up in her tiny, smoky voice, “It’s a surprise.”
“And where are all of our children?” I ask. After all, Birdie and Zane are supposed to be back in Rough & Ready watching Ryder and our two-year-old, Chloe, along with their three kids.
Alex answers, “They’re all here, and childcare’s handled. So, relax and get ready to be pampered.”
Two hours later. Birdie has tears in her eyes as a professional photographer takes more pictures of me in a long, perfectly fitted white lace gown, adjusting my veil. So far, I’ve had countless photos with all of my sisters and bridesmaids, the children in the wedding party, and we’ve even been outside to snap photos with the 1969 Boss 429 Cougar. “I knew I shouldn’t have put on mascara,” Birdie says dabbing at her eyes.
My other sisters nod in agreement and so do I. I can’t believe what Travis has done. As we line up to head downstairs, I clutch the bouquet in my hand, trying to keep it together. We meet Wyatt at the bottom of the stairs, and he grabs my arm, patting my hand and saying, “You’re a beautiful bride, darling.”
In front of me, Ryder and Dmitiri are lined up to act as joint ring bearers, and Birdie and Zane’s daughter, Ruby, is the flower girl. She holds a white basket filled with burgundy rose petals. My head is spinning, and I have to keep pinching myself, wondering if I’m in a dream.
Jess explains, “The other kiddos are outside with the wedding party. Travis hired professional childcare so we could have our hands free to focus on you. I’m sure you’ve figured this out by now, but your husband is a hopeless romantic, and he’s been planning this for years now.”
Live music plays outside, and the wedding planner gets everyone lined up as their cues approach. I watch Ryder, Dmitri, and Ruby head out in a single file line followed by my beautiful sisters in burgundy dresses that perfectly complement the bouquet of roses mixed with ivy and leaves that I hold. My bouquet reminds me of the burgundy floral corset I wore so many years ago when Travis and I went to the hot springs, and I wonder if he knows what he did. It wouldn’t surprise me. After all, he’s known for the detailed nostalgia of his cars. Why not apply the same care to a surprise wedding?
“You ready to get this show on the road?” Wyatt asks, and I nod as we walk through the French doors out onto a stunning backyard overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Travis stands next to the minister, and he’s got a line of fourteen brothers all looking dapper in their suits with cowboy hats over their chests. I also see the Rough & Ready Hotshots here, including Kurt and his wife. But I only have eyes for my husband, as jaw dropping as always in his perfectly tailored suit that emphasizes his muscular build.
His face lights up when he sees me, and his brown, soulful eyes fill with warmth and love as I walk down the aisle towards him. I’m still shaking my head in wonder and don’t know what to say as Wyatt gives me away, taking a seat behind us. I face Travis, holding his hands and mouthing “I love you” as we stand before our closest friends and family to get married.
When it comes time to say our vows, Travis holds both of my hands, gazing into my eyes. “I know you’re going to be mad at me for not giving you any warning about this. You’d want to come up with your own vows, and I’m putting you on the spot. So, you’ll have to forgive me. When you married me five years ago, you sacrificed your hopes of a big, traditional wedding for an asshole firefighter who renovated cars on the side. You gave up the fancy venue, a special gown, the right bouquet, bridesmaids, and all of it to take a chance on me. And all while fitting into my wildfire season schedule. You did it uncomplainingly, and it was and still remains the best day of my life. Then, you gave me the most wonderful son and daughter a man could ever ask for and helped me build a home filled with love and happiness that I can’t wait to return to every night. It’s not often somebody gets to marry their best friend, partner in crime, garage buddy, and dream girl simultaneously, so I know I’m the luckiest man on Earth. Today, I want you and everyone gathered here to know how much I love you and what we’ve become together, thanks to the ride you agreed to take in my Chevelle.”
I cover my mouth with my hand, trying not to cry. Taking a few deep breaths, I pull myself together enough to reply, “And I’m still not repenting.” Those in the crowd who are in-the-know laugh and cheer, and Travis leans down, claiming my lips passionately.
Suddenly, I see dark-haired, brown-eyed Ryder out of the corner of my eye, standing in front of us with his hands on his hips. He scolds, “Daddy, you’re not doing it right. The man has to say ‘Kiss the bride!'”
And the whole wedding party laughs as the minister throws in his two cents. “You know, the little guy has a point.”
After the dinner, reception, and dancing, our family retire to a nearby resort, leaving the beautiful, secluded Victorian on the waterfront to Travis and me. Birdie and Zane take Ryder and Chloe with them and their babies. Now, Travis and I luxuriate in an outdoor, balcony spa, overlooking the Pacific. I enjoy the contrast of the cold foggy air on my face and shoulders and the heat of the water. It’s nighttime, and the stars are hidden beneath layers of fog.
“It’s not quite our hot springs night, is it?” Travis says, wrapping his arms around me and kissing me.
“Hard to beat the stars in the Sierra Nevada backcountry,” I reply. “But this is incredible in its own way. I can’t get enough of the sound of the waves and the feel of the moist fog.”
“I can’t get enough of your soft body pressed against mine.” He ravages my mouth again, leaving me breathless and wanting more.
My head’s still spinning as I think back to our day and how much planning went into this. “I can’t believe you did this, Trav. I mean, you outdid yourself. From getting to drive that crazy Cougar to the bouquet that looked like the shirt I wore to the hot springs—”
“Oh, you noticed that?”
“Of course, I did. To the wedding favors—Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, Mounds, Butterfingers, and Red Vines. And the beer on tap—Rough & Ready Red Dog. The barbecue at the dinner, the spa standing in for the hot springs, and even oceanside stargazing. If I didn’t know better, I’d say you’re sentimental.”
“What can I say, Faith? You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me, which means I’ll never forget the hot springs or our first wedding day or Ryder and Chloe’s births. I can’t even wrap my head around how many incredible memories we’ve made together over the years or all the happiness you’ve given me. You’ve made my life better in every possible way.”
I turn towards him, straddling him in the spa and wrapping my arms around his neck. He lets out a sexy groan, and I can feel his rod growing hard against my thigh. “I have more I’d like to give you. And also a few things I’d like to take from you, husband.”
“Oh, yeah?” he asks, wrapping his arms around me and pulling me firmly against his arousal. “Where do you want to start?”
“First, I want to taste you,” I whisper in his ear as he lets out another throaty groan. “I want to suck that gorgeous cock of yours until it’s stiff and ready for me to ride.”
He grabs my hand and puts it on his firm arousal, moaning as I wrap my fingers around it and pump it a couple of times. “We’re already there, sugar. But I’ll still let you taste me. And then what?”
“I want you to take me the way you did our first time, with only the stars as our cover. I want you to lick, tease, and please me until I can’t take any more. And then I want you to sink your thick cock into me and give me everything you’ve got. You think you can do that, husband?”
“Call that the appetizer,” he replies with a naughty smile as his hand comes around to the front of me, and he sinks a finger into my hot silky core, eliciting a moan of abandon from me. “I’m going to fuck you in every room of this house. But we can start under the stars.” Travis claims my mouth ravenously as tension builds in my lower stomach, an unquenchable desire only he can release.
Izzie used to be the center of my world. No matter where an Army Ranger mission took me, she was the rock that grounded me through the chaos, the motivation behind every sacrifice, no matter how painful. But years of hurt and unresolved emotions have culminated in the unsigned divorce papers in front of me. She says she’s moved on, but how’s that possible when I have trouble breathing without her?
When my security company wins a contract at the museum she directs, Izzie is madder than hell. But I can tell by the way she looks at me that more than pain and anger brews beneath the surface. I’ll do anything to keep her safe, especially when she stumbles into a crime scene with dangerous implications. But is it too late for love and forgiveness to triumph?
Dive into the next steamy installment in the Rough & Ready Country series, Love and Forgiveness.
